Welcome to SOMANZ ASM 2026

It is our absolute pleasure to welcome you to Brisbane for the Society of Obstetric Medicine of Australia and New Zealand (SOMANZ) Annual Scientific Meeting from 16 – 18 October 2026 to discuss ‘Pregnancy brain - beyond hormones’.

Join us at the voco hotel, situated in the heart of the CBD on the Brisbane River, to hear our wonderful keynote speaker, the illustrious Dr Lucy MacKillop – General, Renal and Obstetric Physician from Oxford, UK. Dr McKillop’s research interests include a wide range of topics such as the management of preeclampsia and managing hypertension in pregnancy and beyond.

This year’s conference theme, “Pregnancy Brain,” moves beyond the colloquial notion of gestational “brain fog” to examine the effects of neurobiological and psychosocial pathophysiology on maternal health. We will explore how pregnancy serves as a unique window into short- and long-term brain health, highlighting conditions that require nuanced, multidisciplinary care.

Consistent with our society’s commitment to collaborative, evidence-based practice, this year’s program brings together expertise across obstetric medicine, neurology, infectious diseases, psychiatry, psychology, pharmacology and public health. Together, we will examine:

• Preeclampsia and future brain health – understanding cerebrovascular implications and long-term neurocognitive risk

• Epilepsy in pregnancy – optimizing maternal seizure control while balancing fetal safety

• Maternal infections and neurological sequelae – acute management and longer-term implications

• Psychiatric illness in pregnancy – contemporary management of depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder in complex obstetric patients

• Eating disorders in maternity care – recognition, risk mitigation, and multidisciplinary management

• Best-practice principles in weight-inclusive maternity care – reducing bias while improving clinical outcomes

• Navigating neurodiversity in pregnancy and breastfeeding – practical approaches to supporting autistic and ADHD patients in obstetric settings

This program is designed for clinicians seeking to deepen their understanding of the maternal brain — from pathophysiology to practical bedside care — and to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration in managing some of the most challenging and high-impact conditions in obstetric medicine.

Our multidisciplinary program will resonate especially with obstetric physicians, obstetricians, neurologists, psychiatrists, general physicians, general practitioners, perinatal researchers, midwives and allied health professionals, fostering meaningful dialogue across specialties and strengthening collaborative models of care.

We look forward to welcoming you to sunny Brisbane for what promises to be an exciting clinical meeting — engaging, thought-provoking, and grounded in practical relevance for contemporary maternity care.

SOMANZ ASM - 2026 Local Organising Committee